Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Hi, my name is Mary Cowan I have a quilt pattern company called Mary’s Cottage Quilts.It is named after my family cottage in upstate New York. I am originally from Rochester, New York but have called Utah home for about 22 years now.

I began quilting about 19 years ago when my husband made a huge mistake and surprised me with the book Quilts, Quilts, Quilts (he is still kicking himself)I studied that book so carefully and wanted to make every quilt in there.I started taking classes at a local quilt shop and I was hooked!I think it is so important to take classes when you are a beginner, that way you can learn from other people and get some great instruction so you won’t make a lot of mistakes and get discouraged and give up.

I started working at a local quilt shop and really learned a ton about the whole quilt making process.It was about that time when I started designing my own patterns too.Marilyn, at Elaine’s Quilt Block gave me my “big break” when she bought 6 of my very first pattern – I thought that was the coolest thing ever!From there the whole pattern making experience just evolved into Mary’s Cottage Quilts.I have about 82 patterns that are all available on the website www.maryscottagequilts.com.

I have a book debuting at Spring Market called COLORFUL STASH BUSTERS and I am so excited to share all of the quilts in the book with you!They will all be on display in my booth # 1742 at market!!

I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree specializing in graphic design from the Rochester Institute of Technology.I love to combine a couple of simple blocks and watch the secondary pattern that is created when two blocks “touch”.

I think my first love is color!!I love the bright colors but as soon as I say that, I’ll find a Civil War reproduction fabric or a soft pink or two that I just have to have!!I don’t really stick to one color scheme or theme but I do have my favorites – red & yellow would be right up there!

It is a great feeling to create a quilt pattern that other quilters can get excited about and want to make for their family. I feel that if I can get others excited to choose fabric and make something that can be a family heirloom to them then I have succeeded in my goal.

Please stop by and visit me in my booth # 1742. You will be able to see all the quilts from my book along with some new patterns and I would love to meet all of you!